HARTLEPOOL MARINA

 

The "Make A Wish For The Monkey" statue is in Hartlepool Marina, near the lock gates. Coins thrown into the monkey's lap are donated to Hartlepool & District Hospice.

Controversial car parking charges in Hartlepool Marina has seen visitor numbers drop since Mandale Properties, the land owners of Navigation Point, introduced parking fees during late January. The decision has sparked uproar among the owners of the restaurants, cafes, bars and shops as well as renters of apartments at the site. One restaurant, the Thai Harbour, has already closed at lunchtimes because of a fall in customers. Parking is now beginning to be a problem in Middleton Road with car owners parking their vehicles there to avoid paying the fees.

One of the most popular attractions in Hartlepool Marina, is to let people get as close as possible to walking on water. You step inside an inflatable transparent sphere and take to the water just like a hamster in a ball. It allows you to run, roll, spin and flip for a fun-filled eight minutes. 'Walk on Water' is seasonal.

The name of Hartlepool, according to the author Sir Cuthbert Sharp, comes from origins unknown. But in the time of Bede, the old town on the peninsula, was called Heruteu - the island of the stag. By mediaeval times, the town was known as Hertepol - the pool of the hart or, hart in the pool - becoming Hart-le-Pool.

Hartlepool Marina, said to be one the finest in Europe, was built at a cost of more than £50 million pounds. As well as the Marina itself, which has 500 fully serviced pontoon berths and a selection of quayside births, the area around Navigation Point has some excellent bars and restaurants - with new businesses opening all the time. Whatever you fancy, I am sure you will find something here to suit your taste whether it's Algerian food, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean cuisine, Spanish tapas, Thai, a bistro, fast food or even good ol' fish and chips, with bread and butter, washed down with a nice cup of tea!

The Marina looking towards the Lock Office and the old Customs House which dates back to 1911. In the background are some of the many luxury apartments that have been built in this area over the last four years. Further development is planned as the town looks forward to early August with more than 100 Tall Ships expecting to sail into Hartlepool for the spectacle after they've sailed from Kristiansand, in Norway, on the second and final leg of the race. During their stay, the ships will be berthed in Jackson Dock and Hartlepool Marina, and there will be a host of special events organised in celebration. More than a million visitors are expected to descend on the town - between August 7th and August 10th - which has been described as "Hartlepool's biggest ever party".

The PSS Wingfield Castle, and her sister ship the Tattershall Castle was delivered to the London & North Eastern Railway (which later became the British Transport Commission) and was used as a ferry on the River Humber between Hull and New Holland. During the second world war, both acted as waterborne winch platforms for barrage balloons. The Wingfield Castle, which was built by the yards of Sir William Gray in the town, was restored during the 1970's and had several owners before further restoration in her original building berth in Hartlepool. The PSS Wingfield Castle is open to the public and admission is free through the Museum of Hartlepool. Refreshments are available on board.

"The Highlight" is a monument built in memory to all those who lost their lives at sea and dates back to 1839. It was initially situated in the Longhill area of Hartlepool - known to many, of a certain age, as Wagga. Wagga was part of town which is, more or less, directly opposite the Belle Vue Social Club. At one time there was housing there together with shops, pubs and even its own social club - in fact, quite a thriving community. Some may recall the Steelworks Bridge, which ran from Wagga to Coronation Drive, in Seaton Carew. There was also the story of the "Wagga Sunset" or "Wagga Moon" which was the glow from the slagheap of the steel works visible in the night sky. Then there was a more recent phenomenon of a 'wagga dot'. There seems to be conflicting reports as to exactly what a wagga dot is. Some say if you had a spot on your face, and you came from Wagga, it was a wagga dot or perhaps it was simply a tattooed dot on your cheek, or the backs of your hands.

© Stan Laundon.com